Summer Fashion

Summer fashion is about keeping cool, but spare a thought for the women of the 19th century. Western Victoria is at the bottom of mainland Australia yet that makes little difference once summer comes, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees on some days, even in the far south-west. Imagine arriving from England in February, often the hottest summer month, and having to adapt to heat never experienced before, whilst dressed in inappropriate clothing.

Clothes found in the shops came from overseas made from materials unsuited to the Australian climate. Throw in a crinoline, corset, petticoats, bloomers, boots and it all made for an uncomfortable summer. Eventually women did shed some layers but it did take time.

This advertisement from the Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser is from 1842, early days of colony’s settlement. James Gladwell was due to take possession of a range of summer clothing fresh off the boat from England. For those that did not want clothing, they could always buy a framed print of “His Majesty George the III, hunting”

Fashion reports cam from England and were for the wealthier woman, with much of the clothing too impractical and expensive for the average pioneering woman . The following article is about June fashions (English summer) and published in September 1849 for the Australian summer.

For the ladies of Horsham in November 1889, news was that a cord loop on the end of a parasol was a fashionable accessory for summer 1889. Cashmere was popular as was the “Greek polanaise” dress and mosseline delaine, a material which was taking the place of nun’s veiling.

In 1892, the Portland Guardian’s regular column “World of Fashion” reported summer fashions as “likened to a flower garden in full bloom”. A dress in peach blossom striped silk perfect for an afternoon by the water.

It gets hot in Horsham and in 1913, the Horsham Times were offering tips on cool clothing. Wool was too warm while silk was the coolest of materials. The advice to ladies was to put their black clothes away until winter and bring out their white attire.

More tips on keeping cool, this time from The Argus of 1913. The “Women to Women” column advised not to wrap babies in blankets during summer and young children should be dressed in fewer clothes. “Women themselves have realised the comfort of the scanty clothing that they have been wearing during the last two or three years. It is only a very old-fashioned woman nowadays who ever wears two petticoats”

The following dress was an English design. The article from The Argus of August 27, 1919 notes that it would have to be adapted to suit the Australian summer with a longer sleeve needed to prevent burning.

Get the knitting needles out and whip up this royal blue surf suit made from 4 ply wool.

JUST SEE What We Have Secured FOR YOU… (1935, August 31). The Australian Women’s Weekly (1933 – 1982), p. 47 Section: THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY HOME MAKER. Retrieved November 25, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52247098

An earlier article from the Horsham Times of 1913, proclaimed wool too warm for summer wear. Twenty-two years later, designers had learnt the secret of sheep – wool really is cool. Good for the sheep farmers of the Western District and Wimmera too.

Prints were everywhere in the summer of 1936 and I mean everywhere. Not only were there print dresses and blouses, but also bags, belts and gloves. Not just floral prints but also animal prints, musical notes and even fish.

Also from 1939, news that cotton playsuits could double as swim suits. There were also towelling two piece numbers and woollen swimsuits. Also, just for those who wanted an even tan, boned tops, that stayed up even when the straps were slipped off the shoulder.

Strapless swimsuits were fashionable in 1949 as were pedal pushers, although judging by the photo which accompanied the article, I’m not sure why. But as the article suggest they were perfect for those with “not too slim” or “not to shapely” legs. Tan, caramel, navy and black were the popular colours.

Corsets were back in 1956, if only for swimsuits. A relief for the writer of the “Woman’s Page”, who was glad to see an end of, she thought, swimsuits looking like a couple of handkerchiefs knotted together.